The Compassionate Carnivore

March 24, 2008
As a former city-dweller and self-described “lesbian, Elvis-loving shepherd,” Friend has a unique and intimate perspective on the morals, economics and practicalities of raising and eating meat humanely. With low-key, Midwestern humor, she takes readers on a tour of an abattoir, writes a love letter to her lambs heading for slaughter and relates how chivalry has been bred out of roosters. She delineates the differences between certified organic, certified humane, cage free, free range, and omega 3 eggs; the often-confusing nuances of organic, sustainable and conventional farming; and why, in her opinion, small farms are preferable to big ones. She encourages readers to get to know their local farms and provides questions to ask farmers and butchers about their produce. Readers interested in the subject will likely be familiar with Friend's overall treatment, but fostering a long-term commitment to the cause, she believes, is “an act of respect that will affect the lives of the millions of animals raised in this country every year,” and her suggestions are so reasonable that even the most rampant, mainstream meat-eater might consider trying them.